GREAT ESCAPE: Artscape

It’s going to be 1982 again on the Charles Street Bridge at this weekend’s 30^th annual Artscape.

Artscape, one of America's largest free arts festival held in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood, is celebrating the year it all began.

On Friday, July 15, at 9:50 pm, there will be a special-effects light show set to the Top 10 songs of 1982. The day will begin at noon and gear up to the nighttime finale. Artscape will continue though the weekend, ending on Sunday, July 17 at 8 pm.

Break-dancing, 80s-style, 80s fashion, music and 80s-inspired art will tie the weekend of all-things-art to the year of its inception

What else will be new at Artscape this year?

The 12 city blocks that comprise Artscape, which is full of live concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibits, vendors, food and kids activities, is adding a children’s picnic area called The Rabbit Hole in Pearlstone Park, across the street from a food court on Cathedral Street. Kids can race pedal-powered art cars and visit miniature playhouses.

Another new exhibit is called Light Box that will showcase artistic and sustainable designs for local construction, recycled materials and solar energy.

Gamescape, also new this year, will offer video games designed by local artists who will be on hand while you play their masterpieces. There also will be classic arcade games and arcade-inspired artwork.

Other events include an experimental Greek chorus, comedy and juggling, karaoke, a parade with stilt walkers, magic shows and dances, African rock, collages, stoop storytelling and reggae.

Click here to plan how to get to Artscape - the celebration attracts more than 350,000 people, so parking might be tight.

Click here to see the festival boundaries and street closures.

Click here for a list of kids’ activities.

Friday’s events are listed here.

Saturday’s events are listed here.

Sunday’s events are listed here.

Hours are as follows:

• July 15: noon - 10 pm.
• July 16: noon - 10 pm.
• July 17: noon - 8 pm.